By SM Najmus Sakib
DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) - Protesting students in Bangladesh on Saturday rejected the prime minister’s call for dialogue, made to avoid further violence.
“The door of the Ganabhaban (official prime minister’s residence) is open. I want to sit with the students and listen to them. I want no conflict,” said Sheikh Hasina, the premier.
She also ordered the release of “innocent” students detained during protests.
The student protest coordinators, however, rejected her call and demanded justice for protesters who were killed during the unprecedented student protest that erupted last month.
Asif Mahmud, a key coordinator of the student movement, said on social media that “there is no dialogue with bullets and terror.”
“We have no plans to negotiate with them. Our demand is very clear, if they have anything to say, they can put it in front of the countrymen through the media. The decision of the protesting student-civilians is our decision,” he added.
Tens of thousands of students across the capital Dhaka and other parts of the country have taken to the streets demanding justice and the prime minister’s resignation.
They announced a non-cooperation movement until their demands are met.
The government said at least 150 people were killed in the recent violence during the student protests over reforms in the allocation of government jobs. Local media, however, said over 266 people, mostly students, were killed with bullet wounds in clashes with police and members of the ruling Awami League party.